Kawanishi N1K1 - J "George" (First Prototype) in Detail
by
Ron Cole, Photographs from Kawanishi KK, Japan c. 1942
by
Ron Cole, Photographs from Kawanishi KK, Japan c. 1942
Kawanishi Industries of Japan had long been a major manufacturer of flying
boats and float planes for the Japanese Navy by the time the War in the
Pacific began. It was therefore not unusual for the specialized company to
undertake the design of a high performance float plane fighter. Such aircraft
were unique to the Japanese air arm, since Japan's empire encompassed
thousands of islands across the Pacific, and it was a lot easier to base float
fighters in a lagoon than build an airstrip out of the tropical forest to base
regular land-based fighters there.
In 1942, Kawanishi engineers presented to the Navy their float fighter: the
N1K1 fighter (or "Rex"). The Navy was so impressed with its performance,
that rivaled the performance of land-based fighters of the day in spite of the
ungainly floats, that Kawanishi was tasked with developing a land-based
variant of the same aircraft.
The N1K1-J (or "George") was the result.
These incredible photographs were taken by professional photographers
employed by the company to document the construction of the very first
N1K1-J prototype - from construction of the first jigs to the formal blessing of
the completed aircraft upon its presentation to the Japanese Navy.
Not only do these pictures provide the means to study this special aircraft
and its three sister prototypes, but they also show how unique Japanese
industry was at the time: A blend of cutting-edge technology and feudal-era
construction methods. Many photos show factory workers wearing
traditional Japanese tabi socks and sandals.
boats and float planes for the Japanese Navy by the time the War in the
Pacific began. It was therefore not unusual for the specialized company to
undertake the design of a high performance float plane fighter. Such aircraft
were unique to the Japanese air arm, since Japan's empire encompassed
thousands of islands across the Pacific, and it was a lot easier to base float
fighters in a lagoon than build an airstrip out of the tropical forest to base
regular land-based fighters there.
In 1942, Kawanishi engineers presented to the Navy their float fighter: the
N1K1 fighter (or "Rex"). The Navy was so impressed with its performance,
that rivaled the performance of land-based fighters of the day in spite of the
ungainly floats, that Kawanishi was tasked with developing a land-based
variant of the same aircraft.
The N1K1-J (or "George") was the result.
These incredible photographs were taken by professional photographers
employed by the company to document the construction of the very first
N1K1-J prototype - from construction of the first jigs to the formal blessing of
the completed aircraft upon its presentation to the Japanese Navy.
Not only do these pictures provide the means to study this special aircraft
and its three sister prototypes, but they also show how unique Japanese
industry was at the time: A blend of cutting-edge technology and feudal-era
construction methods. Many photos show factory workers wearing
traditional Japanese tabi socks and sandals.
I've chosen the best 75 images out of the original series of 92
for inclusion here. Each image has been digitally remastered
for better clarity and contrast, as some were quite faded and
discolored. I also discovered and corrected several processing
mistakes that apparently went unnoticed by Kawanishi: including
the accidental reversal of several negatives that caused details,
such as retractable fuselage steps, to appear on the wrong side
of the airplane.
This series of photographs has also exposed some errors in
modern 3-view drawings purporting to depict the first prototype
N1K1-J. I've drawn this revised side-view (at right)
to incorporate minor revisions: most notably a new spinner.
While the first prototype was originally fitted with the larger
spinner of the N1K1 float plane - it never left the factory with it,
as it was evidently replaced by what became the production
spinner before the aircraft was rolled out.
for inclusion here. Each image has been digitally remastered
for better clarity and contrast, as some were quite faded and
discolored. I also discovered and corrected several processing
mistakes that apparently went unnoticed by Kawanishi: including
the accidental reversal of several negatives that caused details,
such as retractable fuselage steps, to appear on the wrong side
of the airplane.
This series of photographs has also exposed some errors in
modern 3-view drawings purporting to depict the first prototype
N1K1-J. I've drawn this revised side-view (at right)
to incorporate minor revisions: most notably a new spinner.
While the first prototype was originally fitted with the larger
spinner of the N1K1 float plane - it never left the factory with it,
as it was evidently replaced by what became the production
spinner before the aircraft was rolled out.
N1K1-J First Prototype
As we'll see, the first and final episodes in the life of the
first N1K1-J at its Kawanishi factory was marked by
reverent occasions. The photo above shows Kawanishi
executives, facory workers, and Navy representatives
at the official blessing of the first component of the
fighter under construction - in this case the main wing
spar. The Shinto priest, who returned the day the
same airplane was presented to the Navy, is wearing
the black hat in the corner.
first N1K1-J at its Kawanishi factory was marked by
reverent occasions. The photo above shows Kawanishi
executives, facory workers, and Navy representatives
at the official blessing of the first component of the
fighter under construction - in this case the main wing
spar. The Shinto priest, who returned the day the
same airplane was presented to the Navy, is wearing
the black hat in the corner.
These pictures reveal two days' construction of the wings for both the first and second
prototypes. It was a general practice among aviation manufacturers to build the first two
prototype aircraft side by side, with the first to be delivered for flight testing, and the second for
non-flight tests associated with structural integrity. The second airplane was thus constructed
in exactly the same manner as the first, only it was doomed to be destroyed through testing
without ever being flown.
Note that the wing construction is being performed entirely by hand, on steel and wooden jigs.
In the background we can see the plywood templates that will aid the hand-building of the
fuselage formers and their respective jigs.
The area within the large factory that's being devoted to the then-secret N1K1-J project has
been walled-off with plywood. Over these series of pictures, it's interesting to see the
mass-production of other Kawanishi aircraft types beyond this wall - usually H6K Type 97 flying
boats.
prototypes. It was a general practice among aviation manufacturers to build the first two
prototype aircraft side by side, with the first to be delivered for flight testing, and the second for
non-flight tests associated with structural integrity. The second airplane was thus constructed
in exactly the same manner as the first, only it was doomed to be destroyed through testing
without ever being flown.
Note that the wing construction is being performed entirely by hand, on steel and wooden jigs.
In the background we can see the plywood templates that will aid the hand-building of the
fuselage formers and their respective jigs.
The area within the large factory that's being devoted to the then-secret N1K1-J project has
been walled-off with plywood. Over these series of pictures, it's interesting to see the
mass-production of other Kawanishi aircraft types beyond this wall - usually H6K Type 97 flying
boats.
The above photo shows a set of wings that have been partially covered, and one of
the main gear struts has been temporarily fitted.
The picture at left provides a detailed look at production methods in use at the time:
plywood templates, metal clamps and frame. Note that at this very early stage of
construction - of a wing tip in this instance - the special blue/green translucent
anti-corrosive paint has already been applied. This extremely effective treatment,
common among all Japanese aircraft manufacturers at the time, provided Japanese
aircraft with resistance to the warm and salty environments of the South Pacific.
Even today, the effectiveness of this coating is obvious among wrecks that linger in
areas formerly under Japanese control. Aircraft remains built by other nations have
suffered far more degradation over the years, while Japanese-produced airframes
have held-up amazingly well.
the main gear struts has been temporarily fitted.
The picture at left provides a detailed look at production methods in use at the time:
plywood templates, metal clamps and frame. Note that at this very early stage of
construction - of a wing tip in this instance - the special blue/green translucent
anti-corrosive paint has already been applied. This extremely effective treatment,
common among all Japanese aircraft manufacturers at the time, provided Japanese
aircraft with resistance to the warm and salty environments of the South Pacific.
Even today, the effectiveness of this coating is obvious among wrecks that linger in
areas formerly under Japanese control. Aircraft remains built by other nations have
suffered far more degradation over the years, while Japanese-produced airframes
have held-up amazingly well.
The photo above shows how dark the anti-corrosive coating is
compared the bare aluminum skin being applied over the frame.
compared the bare aluminum skin being applied over the frame.
Below: A Kawanishi photographer turns his attention to the fuselage progress. This
is the cockpit section, with the headrest support visible in the top of the picture.
is the cockpit section, with the headrest support visible in the top of the picture.
Japanese military aircraft were designed to be modular, incorporating large
sub-assemblies and their respective equipment. This feature made disassembly
and transportation of completed aircraft a lot easier and provided ground crews at
the front with a unique ability to mix and match damaged aircraft in order to keep
more planes in the air. But on the factory floor, where aircraft were built by hand
even in mass-production, this modular construction method was also adventagious
where space was always limited.
sub-assemblies and their respective equipment. This feature made disassembly
and transportation of completed aircraft a lot easier and provided ground crews at
the front with a unique ability to mix and match damaged aircraft in order to keep
more planes in the air. But on the factory floor, where aircraft were built by hand
even in mass-production, this modular construction method was also adventagious
where space was always limited.
The above photo shows the two sister prototype fuselages nose to
nose, as both appear to be fully skinned.
At right we see that the modular fuselage is split just behind the
cockpit, as is the case in the design of the Zero fighter. Black
grease pencil has roughly marked-out the area where the wings will
meet and be provided with large aerodynamic sheet-metal fillets.
The technician in the photo below-right is wearing old-fashioned
tabi sandals. Hope he didn't drop a hammer!
nose, as both appear to be fully skinned.
At right we see that the modular fuselage is split just behind the
cockpit, as is the case in the design of the Zero fighter. Black
grease pencil has roughly marked-out the area where the wings will
meet and be provided with large aerodynamic sheet-metal fillets.
The technician in the photo below-right is wearing old-fashioned
tabi sandals. Hope he didn't drop a hammer!
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Great shots of the 'Kyofu's' unique cowling halves. It's
interesting that the top half hasn't been treated with
anti-corrosion paint.
interesting that the top half hasn't been treated with
anti-corrosion paint.
The N1K1-J's sub-assemblies come together quickly. Below left: The 1820
hp Nakajima Homare 11 - which differentiates the 'Kyofu' from the
re-engined 'Shiden' production aircraft - has been installed.
hp Nakajima Homare 11 - which differentiates the 'Kyofu' from the
re-engined 'Shiden' production aircraft - has been installed.
For what must have been a very brief time
during construction, the first prototype
was fitted with an elaborate aerodynamic
fairing that covered the Homare 11's
crankcase, and a slick matching spinner -
as shown in the picture at bottom left.
The N1K1-J has also been painted in its
bright red-orange factory finish.
Only three images later on the strip of
negatives, however, the aircraft appears
on its own landing gear while being fitted
with another spinner, and the fairing is no
longer present.
during construction, the first prototype
was fitted with an elaborate aerodynamic
fairing that covered the Homare 11's
crankcase, and a slick matching spinner -
as shown in the picture at bottom left.
The N1K1-J has also been painted in its
bright red-orange factory finish.
Only three images later on the strip of
negatives, however, the aircraft appears
on its own landing gear while being fitted
with another spinner, and the fairing is no
longer present.
Above and at left: Various photos covering details of the N1K1-J, including its advanced combat flaps
(far left), tail-light, 20mm cannon housings, and retractable step.
This was the first aircraft built for the Japanese Navy, and one of the first in the world, to possess combat
flaps. These multi-piece flaps automatically deployed to varying degrees during extreme flight
maneuvers, and provided the aircraft with the ability to conduct tighter turns and improved stall
characteristics without sacrificing other performance attributes.
(far left), tail-light, 20mm cannon housings, and retractable step.
This was the first aircraft built for the Japanese Navy, and one of the first in the world, to possess combat
flaps. These multi-piece flaps automatically deployed to varying degrees during extreme flight
maneuvers, and provided the aircraft with the ability to conduct tighter turns and improved stall
characteristics without sacrificing other performance attributes.
Far right: The unusually long landing gear
required for the N1K1-J did not perform
nearly as reliably as its advanced combat
flap system. More production aircraft were
lost due to the failure of these legs than from
actual combat, and were the first major
design attribute to be trashed when the same
team of designers at Kawanishi went on to
create the drawings for the improved N1K2-J
'Shiden-kai.'
required for the N1K1-J did not perform
nearly as reliably as its advanced combat
flap system. More production aircraft were
lost due to the failure of these legs than from
actual combat, and were the first major
design attribute to be trashed when the same
team of designers at Kawanishi went on to
create the drawings for the improved N1K2-J
'Shiden-kai.'
Kawanishi must have depended upon a
different subcontractor for construction of
their landing gear assemblies, than was
used by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The
latter's aircraft were always fitted with
semi-gloss black landing gear, while
these appear to be painted silver.
The causes for the N1K1-J's landing gear
failures, however, wasn't the fault of their
subcontractor. The N1K1-J was a land
plane based upon a float plane, the latter
of which was appropriately designed with
a mid-positioned wing. But that same
design, when carried over to it's land
plane offspring, required the extremely
long gear legs that ultimately failed under
hard landings and rough front-line airfield
conditions.
different subcontractor for construction of
their landing gear assemblies, than was
used by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The
latter's aircraft were always fitted with
semi-gloss black landing gear, while
these appear to be painted silver.
The causes for the N1K1-J's landing gear
failures, however, wasn't the fault of their
subcontractor. The N1K1-J was a land
plane based upon a float plane, the latter
of which was appropriately designed with
a mid-positioned wing. But that same
design, when carried over to it's land
plane offspring, required the extremely
long gear legs that ultimately failed under
hard landings and rough front-line airfield
conditions.
The photo at left provides another great example
of the translucent anti-corrosive paint.
The depth of the well continues all the way to the
backside of the wing's upper duraluminum
sheeting. The dark blue or black ink stamps that
read "SDCR" about every three inches in a
pattern, reveals the gauge of the metal sheet, and
shows also that Kawanishi, Nakajima, and
Mitsubishi received their sheet metal from the
same source. The same markings have been
observed within their aircraft, including the G3M,
and B5N2.
of the translucent anti-corrosive paint.
The depth of the well continues all the way to the
backside of the wing's upper duraluminum
sheeting. The dark blue or black ink stamps that
read "SDCR" about every three inches in a
pattern, reveals the gauge of the metal sheet, and
shows also that Kawanishi, Nakajima, and
Mitsubishi received their sheet metal from the
same source. The same markings have been
observed within their aircraft, including the G3M,
and B5N2.
This aircraft was given many opportunities to
show off its ability to be disassembled prior
to its official roll out.
show off its ability to be disassembled prior
to its official roll out.
The large image at right shows
the fully equipped rear
fuselage section. Note the
exposed mechanisms for the
retractable steps and
hand-holds.
the fully equipped rear
fuselage section. Note the
exposed mechanisms for the
retractable steps and
hand-holds.
The completed first prototype's official roll out. Perhaps
even more interesting, can anyone identify the nearly
complete float plane in the background of the photo at right?
It's a rare Kawanishi E15K1 high speed reconnaissance
float plane, known by the Allies as the "Norm."
even more interesting, can anyone identify the nearly
complete float plane in the background of the photo at right?
It's a rare Kawanishi E15K1 high speed reconnaissance
float plane, known by the Allies as the "Norm."
The N1K1-J enjoys its first run-up with various access panels removed,
as Kawanishi employees look on.
as Kawanishi employees look on.
Days after its first run-up, the airplane was partially disassembled for its
over-water journey to the Navy via a wooden barge.
over-water journey to the Navy via a wooden barge.
The return of the Shinto priest and the accompanying formal
ceremony marks the point at which the first N1K1-J prototype
was officially turned over to the Japanese Navy.
ceremony marks the point at which the first N1K1-J prototype
was officially turned over to the Japanese Navy.
Below: Naval officers and Kawanishi executives face the
direction of the Imperial Palace prior to three cheers of "Long
live the Emperor."
direction of the Imperial Palace prior to three cheers of "Long
live the Emperor."
Back at the Kawanishi factory: Another prototype has been
dissassembed for transportation. The facility completed a total
of nine
dissassembed for transportation. The facility completed a total
of nine
